SB 


I/ 


tfCSB  LIBRARY 

X- 


Q  y<su, 

V     '    ' 


l**<   JJ/Q 


OCS8  LIBRARY 

X- 


\ 


PROMISING  AND  PERFORMING. 


A   TRUE   NARRATIVE. 


BY 


1 

CHARLOTTE   ELIZABETH, 


NEW  YORK  : 
JOHN  S.  TAYLOR  &  Co., 

145  NASSAU   ST. 

Opposite  the  Tract  House. 

1842. 


PROMISING 

•         * 

AND 

PERFORMING. 


IN  a  small  town,  respectably  inhabited, 
dwelt  a  carpenter  named  George  Hardy. 
He  was  an  active,  good  mechanic ;  and  be- 
ing the  only  person  in  that  place  who 
could  undertake  the  finer  sort  of  work,  he 
had  sufficient  employment.  The  articles 
which  his  customers  ordered  were  usually 
made  with  neatness,  but  with  so  little  re- 
gard to  punctuality,  that  the  patience  of 
his  customers  was  generally  exhausted  by 
repeated  delays  in  the  execution  of  them. 
If  promises  had  been  sufficient,  they  had 
them  in  plenty ;  but  promising  is  one  thing, 
and  performing  is  another.  Hardy  knew 
it  would  be  more  inconvenient  to  most  of 
his  customers  to  send  to  the  next  town, 


4  PROMISING  AND  PERFORMING. 

than  to  wait  his  leisure  ;  he  therefore  bore 
very  quietly  their  complaints  and  reproach- 
es, and  took  his  own  time  in  completing 
their  orders ;  still  '  pacifying'  them,  as  he 
called  it,  with  positive  assurances  that  they 
should  be  performed  immediately.  Like 
too  many  other  tradesmen,  he  accustomed 
himself  to  this  kind  of  deceit,  until  it  be- 
came so  settled  a  habit,  that  his  conscience 
scarcely  reproached  him  with  the  falsehood 
which  he  daily  uttered — he  paid  little  re- 
gard to  the  word  of  God,  or  he  would  have 
found  that  his  promises  were  untruths,  his 
deceits  were  lies.  If  Hardy  was  reminded 
by  his  friends  of  the  sinfulness  of  this  prac- 
tice, he  would  speak  of  the  trifling  nature 
of  the  offence,  and  say  that  the  success  of 
his  business  depended  on  keeping  his  custo- 
mers in  good  humor.  But  there  is  no 
such  thing  as  a  trifling  sin,  it  is  the  princi- 
ple of  obedience  that  God  requires  of  us  j 
and  to  depart  from  that,  in  the  smallest  de- 
gree, shows  that  we  are  not  influenced 
either  by  his  love  or  fear.  Our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  said,  '  He  that  is  unjust  in  the  least, 
is  unjust  also  in  much.' 


PROMISING  AND  PERFORMING.  5 

As  to  keeping  his  employers  in  good  hu- 
mor, nob6dy  likes  to  be  deceived  and  im- 
posed upon  5  and  if  any  appeared  satisfied, 
it  was  only,  as  the  event  showed,  because 
they  could  not  help  themselves. 

After  a  long  time,  another  carpenter 
came  to  follejjFTiis  trade  in  the  neighbor- 
hood;, he  was  a  young  man,  who  worked 
neatly  and;  with  expedition,  but  never  un- 
dertook to  do  more  than  he  was  sure  of  fin- 
ishing within  the  given  time.  When  asked 
to  take  home  any  thing,  and  complete  it  im- 
mediately, he  was  used  to  reply,  '  I  will  do 
it,  Sir,  as  soon  as  possible  ;  but  at  present  I 
am  employed  on  work  for  another  custom- 
er, which  I  must  first  finish :  after  that  I 
will  execute  your  orders.'  'But  cannot 
your  other  customer  wait  a  day  longer  1 1 
am  in  haste,  and  this  will  only  occupy  you 
for  a  few  hours.' 

4  No,  Sir,'  he  would  say,  '  I  promised  the 
gentleman  that  I  would  attend  to  his  busi- 
ness alone,  till  it  was  quite  finished :  after- 
wards I  am  ready  to  do  the  work  for  you.' 

By  these  means,  William  Steele  estab- 


6  PROMISING  AND  PERFORMING. 

lished  such  a  character  for  punctuality,  that 
if  he  once  promised,  his  customers  were 
sure  that  nothing  but  unforseen  accident 
would  prevent  his  fulfilling  his  word. 

The  gentleman  would  say,  'It  is  a  pity 
to  see  poor  Hardy  losing  all  his  business, 
thus  ;  but  when  things  are  wanted  it  is  im- 
possible not,  to  prefer  a  person  who  will  be 
true  to  the  day  and  hour  that  he  names,  to 
one  who  will  readily  promise  for  to-rnor- 
row,  and  keep  you  waiting  a  week  or  a 
fortnight.' 

One  observed,  '  I  expected  a  large  party 
to  dinner :  a  week  before  they  came,  I  sent 
for  Hardy  to  repair  a  table,  charging  him 
not  to  undertake  it  unless  he  was  certain  of 
finishing  his  work  in  good  time— he  prom- 
ised faithfully,  as  he  called  it.  The  day  ap- 
proached ;  I  sent  frequently,  and  the  reply 
always  was,  that  it  was  nearly  done,  and 
would  shortly  be  sent  home.  At  last,  the 
very  day  before  I  wanted  the  table,  I  went 
myself  to  his  house — got  a  sight  of  my  ta- 
ble with  some  difficulty,  and  found  the 
work  was  not  yet  begun !  of  course  I  order- 
ed it  home ;  and  much  trouble  I  had  to 


PROMISING  AND  PERFORMING.  7 

make  out  sufficient  accommodation  for  my 
guests.  Never  tell  me  of  such  a  fellow's 
misfortunes  in  losing  his  trade.  I  am 
heartily  glad  to  be  no  longer  dependent  up- 
on him.' 

Another  gentleman  said,  '  In  a  circum- 
stance similar  to  what  you  mention,  I  sent 
for  Steele  ;  he  told  me,  it  was  doubtful 
whether  he  could  properly  finish  the  work, 
within  the  time  named  by  me  ;  but  that  he 
could  so  repair  the  article,  as  to  make  it 
answer  for  immediate  use,  and  would  then 
take  it  home,  and  let  me  know  how  soon  it 
might  be  completed.  He  did  so,  and  was 
punctual  in  returning  it.  I  would  wait  any 
time  to  employ  at  last  so  trusty  a  charac- 
ter. 

Meanwhile,  Hardy  only  laughed  at  the 
success  of  his  rival ;  '  A  new  broom  sweeps 
clean,'  he  would  say  :  '  this  fellow  will  soon 
have  his  hands  so  full  of  work,  that  some 
must  needs  be  put  off;  and  then  they  will 
bring  their  complaints  and  their  custom  to 
me  again.'  But  he  was  mistaken:  Steele 
never  departed  from  the  rule  with  which  he 
began ;  and  became  such  a  general  favor- 


8  PROMISING  AND  PERFORMING. 

ite,  that  the  gentry  would  have  forgotten 
Hardy  altogether,  if  they  had  not  been 
obliged  sometimes  to  send  for  him,  when 
the  other  was  too  busily  engaged  to  receive 
their  orders. 

It  may  be  supposed,  that  Hardy  felt  like 
an  injured  man ;  and  greatly  resented  the 
success  of  the  stranger,  which  he  had  him- 
self chiefly  assisted  to  bring  about.  Steele 
was  very  friendly,  and  wished  to  obtain  his 
good  will :  but  Hardy  became  more  sullen 
and  rude  to  him  every  day ;  and  was  even 
heard  to  utter  very  bad  wishes  respecting 
this  industrious  young  man.  The  loss  of 
his  business  fell  heavily  upon  Hardy's 
young  family,  and  he  was  already  giving 
way  to  habits  of  idleness  and  dissipation. 
When  his  wife  reasoned  with  him  upon  the 
subject  he  would  answer,  '  You  may  go 
preach  to  Steele,  who  has  taken  the  bread 
out  of  our  mouths,  and  is  driving  me  to 
ruin.' 

Steele  had  been  strongly  advised  to  take 
a  journeyman,  with  whose  assistance  he 
might  have  commanded  the  custom  of  the 
whole  country  round  ;  but,  with  a  generos- 


PROMISING  AND  PERFORMING.  9 

ity  very  seldom  met  with  in  this  selfish 
world,  he  refused ;  saying,  that  he  had 
none  but  himself  to  provide  for ;  that  his 
own  earnings  were  quite  sufficient  for  him ; 
and  that,  by  enriching  himself  at  his  neigh- 
bor's expense,  he  should  heap  distresses 
on  the  family  of  a  man  whom  he  did  not 
wish  to  injure. 

The  minister  of  the  parish,  a  most  bene- 
volent and  religious  man,  had,  from  the 
first,  admonished  Hardy  on  the  sinfulness  of 
his  frequent  departures  from  truth,  and  the 
disgrace  he  would  suffer  on  this  account. 
'  And  even  though  you  should  still  prosper 
on  earth,'  he  added,  '  yet  remember,  "  it  is 
appointed  unto  men  once  to  die,  but  after 
this  the  judgment,"  when  a  strict  account 
must  be  given  of  these  things  which  you 
now  regard  so  lightly,  but  against  which  the 
wrath  of  God  is  revealed  from  heaven,  and 
eternal  punishment  prepared  for  the  trans- 
gressors. Depend  upon  it,  Hardy,  "  a  lying 
lip  is  but  for  a  moment :  and  though  you 
should  gain  the  whole  world  by  unjust  means, 
you  must  give  your  soul  in  exchange,  and 


10  PROMISING    AND   PERFORMING. 

the  bargain  will  profit  you  nothing,  hut  he  a 
fearful  and  irretrievable  loss.' 

These  friendly  warnings  had  no  effect: 
it  is  the  nature  of  sin,  when  persisted  in,  to 
harden  the  heart,  and  to  make  the  con- 
science insensible,  as  if  seared  with  a  hot 
iron.  Hardy  found  it  so  :  falsehood  became 
so  familiar  to  him,  that  he  seemed  hardly 
to  believe  in  the  real  existence  of  truth : 
and  scoffed  at  the  conscientious  dealings 
of  Steele,  as  if  they  had  been  the  basest  hy- 
pocrisy, solely  calculated  to  advance  his  in- 
terests in  the  world. 

Hardy  forgot,  or  did  not  credit  the  wise 
adage,  that  'honesty  is  the  best  policy;' 
still  less  did  he  bear  in  mind  the  scriptural 
declaration,  that  '  godliness  is  profitable 
unto  all  things  ;  having  the  promise  of  the 
life  that  now  is,  and  of  that  which  is  to 
come.' 

Matters  were  going  on  thus,  when  it  was 
reported  that  a  rich  nobleman,  who  had  a 
house  in  that  part  of  the  country,  long  un- 
occupied, had  determined  to  spend  the  sum- 
mer months  there  ;  and  that  his  son  was 
come  down  to  see  it  put  in  order. 


PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING.  11 

This  event  roused  Hardy.  '  Surely,'  said 
he,  '  the  young  lord  will  not  pass  by  an  old 
servant  of  his  father's,  to  employ  this  up- 
start, whom  nobody  knows.  I  shall  take 
care  to  put  myself  in  his  way.' 

Very  soon  after,  Hardy  had  an  opportu- 
nity of  meeting  his  lordship,  who  was  walk- 
ing with  a  friend  j  and  it  so  happened,  that 
the  gentleman  was  then  advising  him  to 
employ  Steele,  in  executing  the  necessary 
repairs  of  the  house.  Hardy  made  a  low 
bow,  and  looked  wistfully  at  them  as  he 
passed. 

The  young  nobleman  called  him  back ; 
and  it  may  be  supposed,  that  he  obeyed 
with  no  small  joy ;  and  when  asked  whether 
he  would  engage  to  perform  some  work  at 
the  castle,  within  a  given  time,  he  was  as 
ready  as  ever  with  his  promises  of  dispatch 
and  punctuality. 

*  This  is  not  what  I  want,'  said  his  lord- 
ship— '  you  are  engaging  to  do  more  than  I 
can  reasonably  expect,  and  such  hasty  pro- 
mises generally  lead  to  disappointment. 
There  is  occasion  for  much  work  in  your 
line  at  the  castle  j  and  I  mean  to  employ 


12  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING. 

both  you  and  the  other  carpenter.  I  shall 
then  judge  of  your  respective  abilities  and 
application.' 

Hardy  was  not  particularly  pleased  at 
hearing  this :  he  had  hoped  to  have  the 
sole  superintendence  of  the  men  employed ; 
but,  relying  on  his  own  skill  and  sagacity, 
he  doubted  not  but  that  ultimately  he  would 
triumph  over  Steele. 

Returning  home,  he  told  his  wife  how  af- 
fably the  young  lord  had  spoken  to  him  ;  and 
prepared  to  brighten  his  rusty  tools. 

'  What  a  grand  thing  a  lord  must  be  !' 
exclaimed  one  of  the  children  :  '  what  is  he 
like,  father  1' 

'  Like  any  other  gentleman,  as  far  as  I  can 
see ;  he  is  a  fine  young  man,  with  a  mild, 
good-tempered  look.' 

'  But  are  you  not  afraid  to  speak  to  him, 
father  V 

'  Not  a  hit,  child :  he  has  no  pride,  no- 
thing like  vanity  about  him  ;  he  dresses  as 
any  respectable  gentleman  ought  to  do ; 
and  speaks  to  a  poor  man  as  if  he  was  made 
of  the  same  earth  with  himself.' 

Hardy  was  right  in  his  observation :  the 


PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING.  13 

yoxing  lord  was  a  truly  Christian  character  ; 
and  in  him  the  dignity  of  high  birth  was 
tempered  by  the  humility  of  unaffected 
piety.  He  had  the  habit  of  recollecting,  that 
every  person  to  whom  he  spoke  possessed 
an  immortal  soul ;  and  to  do  good  to  that 
soul  was  a  principal  object  with  him.  To 
effect  this,  the  condescending  kindness  of 
his  manner  led  the  way  ;  and  all  who  ad- 
dressed him,  felt  that  they  were  speaking  to 
a  friend. 

On  the  following  day,  Hardy  repaired  to 
the  castle  in  the  best  spirits ;  and  Steele 
soon  joined  him.  They  settled  their  plans 
of  proceeding,  and  Hardy  gave  himself  no 
small  airs  of  superiority;  hinting  that  his 
interest  with  the  family  had  been  the  means 
of  getting  Steele  employed  at  the  castle. 
To  such  shameless  falsehood  are  they  led 
who  wander  from  the  straight  path  of  sin- 
cerity and  truth  ! 

But  Steele  treated  him  with  great  civili- 
ty, observing  the  respect  due  to  an  older 
and  more  experienced  person.  They  went 
on  well  together ;  and  Hardy's  tools  not  be- 
ing in  very  good  condition,  the  other  press- 


14  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING. 

ed  him  to  make  use  of  his.  Hardy  gave 
him  no  credit  for  any  disinterested  good 
will ;  he  thought  that  Steele  was  flattering 
him,  as  a  means  of  being  noticed  by  the  no- 
ble family,  of  whose  patronage  he  himself 
boasted  immoderately. 

By  degrees  Steele  led  Hardy  to  converse 
on  other  subjects ;  and  he,  having  got  into 
tolerable  good  humor,  was  less  reserved. 
One  day,  when  they  were  working  together, 
Steele,  being  at  a  loss,  was  set  right  by  his 
companion,  for  which  he  expressed  his 
thanks. 

1  Why,  truly,  partner,'  said  Hardy,  '  I 
don't  see  any  great  difference  among  us  as 
to  workmanship.  Certainly  I  know  as  much 
as  you  do.' 

'  A  great  deal  more,'  said  Steele ;  '  you 
have  had  longer  practice,  and  have  a  very 
quick  eye,  and  a  correct  hand.' 

'  But  not  enough  to  satisfy  the  gentry 
down  yonder,'  replied  Hardy,  rather  bitter- 
ly, and  nodding  his  head  towards  the  town. 

'  Ah !  neighbor,'  exclaimed  Steele, '  I  wish 
you  would  allow  me  to  speak  to  you  on  that 
subject.' 


PROMISING    AND   PERFORMING.  15 

*  I  cannot  hinder  you,'  said  Hardy,  sul- 
lenly ;  '  they  laugh  that  win,  and  I  suppose 
they  may  talk  too.' 

'  I  came  to  this  town,'  continued  Steele, 
'because  I   understood    there    was    work 
enough  for  a  second  person,   without   en- 
croaching on  you.' 
.  *  So  there  was.' 

'  Well — I  never  intended  or  wished  to  do 
it :  the  preference  given  to  me  was  both  un- 
expected and  unwelcome,  since  it  was  a 
clear  loss  to  a  brother  tradesman ;  but  if 
you  will  listen  to  the  advice  of  a  sincere 
well-wisher,  I  think  I  can  show  you  how  to 
retrieve  what  is  lost.' 

'  With  the  help  of  his  lordship's  interest,' 
said  Hardy,  giving  him  a  sly  look. 

'His  lordship's  interest,'  said  Steele, 
'  can  not  do  away  with  the  objections  that  I 
have  heard  against  you  ;  and  if  those  were 
removed,  your  own  abilities  would  bring 
you  on  without  such  help  ; — but  I  want  you 
to  enjoy  the  interests  of  one  much  higher 
and  more  powerful  than  the  lord  of  this 
castle.' 

'  What !  I  suppose  you  will  send  me  with 


16  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING. 

a  letter  of  recommendation  to  another  part 
of  the  country,'  said  Hardy,  laughing  scorn- 
fully. 

'  By  no  means,'  said  Steele,  '  I  would  not 
have  you  quit  this  spot ;  and  I  assure  you 
there  is  nothing  unfair  or  self-interested  in 
my  motives.' 

'  Oh,  I  dare  say  not ;  but  as  my  lord's 
good  will  is  enough  for  mej  I  don't  need 
your  help.  May  be  you  will  find  a  little  of 
mine  useful  to  you  before  long.' 

Seeing  him  determined  not  to  listen, 
Steele  was  obliged  to  leave  off;  secretly 
praying  that  the  prejudices  of  his  compan- 
ion might  be  removed,  and  his  ear  open  to 
wholesome  reproof. 

Shortly  after  this  unsuccessful  attempt  of 
Steele's,  he  became  so  seriously  ill,  in  con- 
sequence of  a  severe  cold,  that  he  could  not 
leave  his  bed.  Hardy  exerted  himself  to  the 
utmost  in  his  partner's  absence,  hoping  to 
prove  that  he  could  alone  accomplish  all 
the  required  task  ;  and  when  his  lordship 
saw  what  progress  was  made,  he  expressed 
perfect  satisfaction. 

Hardy  mentioned  the  illness  of  Steele  in 


PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING.  17 

a  way  that  showed  how  little  regret  he  felt 
at  the  circumstance ;  adding  his  readiness 
to  undertake  the  superintendence  of  what 
remained  to  be  done. 

His  lordship  asked  when  he  had  seen 
Steele. 

'  Not  since  he  was  here,  my  lord.' 

'  What !  is  he  not  your  neighbor  1' 

'  He  is,  please  your  lordship  ;  but  I  have 
little  reason  to  rejoice  in  that.  When  he 
came  here,  I  was  in  a  prosperous  trade,  and 
comfortably  supporting  my  family  :  but  this 
stranger,  by  his  wheedling,  flattering  ways, 
drew  the  best  of  my  customers  from  me, 
and  injured  me  so  much,  that  I  have  been 
in  very  great  distress  for  some  time  past.' 

'And  had  your  employers  no  other  cause 
for  discontinuing  to  deal  with  you  V 

'None,  my  lord.  I  have  always  borne 
the  character  of  an  industrious,  and,  I  hope, 
an  honest  man.  As  to  my  work,  your 
Lordship  will  please  to  judge  by  what  is  be- 
fore you.' 

His  lordship  then  said,  '  Has  any  quar- 
rel taken  place  between  you  and  Steele  V 

'  No,  my  lord :  if  he  has  given  himself 


18  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING. 

some  airs,  it  is  no  more  than  might  be  ex- 
pected  after  such  sudden  success  5  and  I 
am  not  quarrelsome.' 

'  Did  any  one  tell  you  that  he  endeavor- 
ed to  injure  you  V 

'  His  conduct  speaks  for  itself,  my  lord.' 

'  It  does,  indeed,'  said  the  young  noble- 
man, thoughtfully  ;  then  after  a  pause  he 
added,  '  I  have  heard  a  very  different  ac 
count  of  this  matter,  Hardy.  I  was  told 
that  your  want  of  punctuality,  and  neglect 
of  your  employers  had  become  quite  insup- 
portable :  that  Steele's  conduct  being  the 
very  reverse,  he  was  therefore  preferred  5 
that  he  has  always  behaved  to  you  with  lib- 
erality and  Christian  kindness ;  and  that 
many  of  your  old  friends  would  employ 
you,  if  you  would  fulfill  the  promises  that 
you  are  so  ready  to  make.  Is  this  true  V 

1  Your  lordship  knows  that,  when  I  had 
all  the  custom  of  the  country,  I  could  not 
do  every  one's  work  as  fast  as  he  required 
it.' 

'Yet,  by  your  own  account,  Steele  has 
now  that  extensive  custom ;  but  I  hear  of 
no  complaints  concerning  him.' 


PROMISING  AND   PERFORMING.  19 

Hardy  was  silent  and  wished  the  conver- 
sation at  an  end ;  his  lordship  went  on. 

'  I  must  tell  you,  Hardy,  that,  in  conse- 
quence of  these  reports,  I  determined  to 
employ  Steele,  and  sent  for  him  :  he  imme- 
diately requested  that  the  preference  might 
be  given  to  you.  I  objected  ;  he  pleaded 
your  large  family,  your  industry,  ability, 
and  so  forth.  I  consented  to  employ  you 
with  him ;  he  assured  me  that  you  were 
competent  to  undertake  the  whole,  alone  ; 
and  it  was  not  until  I  threatened  to  send  for 
a  man  from  another  place,  and  pass  you 
both  by,  that  he  agreed  to  my  terms.' 

Hardy  felt  exceedingly  confused  and 
ashamed ;  he  recollected  his  boasts  to 
Steele,  which  the  young  man  must  have 
known  to  be  so  grossly  false.  '  A  lying 
lip,'  thought  he,  '  is  indeed  but  for  a  mo- 
ment.' 

His  lordship  continued,  'I  think  your 
sick  comrade  now  deserves  some  attention 
from  you.  Do  not  let  him  know  that  I 
have  mentioned  these  circumstances  ;  but 
consider  whether  you  are  not  far  more 
blameable  in  this  case  than  you  wish  to  be- 


SO  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING. 

lieve  yourself :  and  add  not  to  other  faults, 
that  of  unmerited  ill-will  against  a  fair  and 
generous  competitor.  There  is  a  depth  of 
iniquity  in  the  human  heart,  which  God 
alone  can  enable  us  to  discover.  I  fear 
you  have  not  sought  his  help  in  the  task  of 
examining  yourself.  Delay  it  no  longer ; 
for  these  seeming  trifles  are  the  sparks  by 
which  an  unquenchable  flame  may  be  kind- 
led to  consume  you.'  His  Lordship  depart- 
ed, and  Hardy  remained  under  no  very  en- 
viable feelings. 

To  avoid  visiting  Steele  was  now  impos- 
sible, unless  he  could  make  up  his  mind  to 
offend  the  young  nobleman,  and  to  confirm 
all  the  unfavorable  reports  respecting  him- 
self :  on  the  other  hand,  he  felt  more  shy 
than  ever  of  Steele  ;  since  he  must  appear 
so  very  contemptible  in  his  eyes,  from  his 
vain  and  ridiculous  boasting.  As  he  pro- 
ceeded in  the  evening  to  his  neighbor's 
abode,  these  things  crowded  upon  his 
mind ;  and  the  longer  he  considered  them, 
the  more  was  he  puzzled  to  account  for 
Steele's  conduct,  in  pleading  for  him  with 
the  young  nobleman  so  strongly — '  Surely,' 


PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING.  21 

thought  he,  '  this  strange  fellow  could  not 
do  it  to  recommend  himself  by  a  seeming 
act  of  generosity — he  has  custom  enough, 
it  is  true  ;  but  if  he  offended  my  lord,  h* 
would  lose  half  of  it.  Did  he  really  sup- 
pose my  interest  there  was  so  great,  that  I 
could  cast  him  out,  if  he  got  into  favor 
without  my  help  1  It  is  a  difficult  matter 
to  understand — either  he  must  be  the  most 
cunning,  or  the  most  foolish  young  man 
that  ever  I  met  with.' 

It  never  entered  Hardy's  mind  to  ac- 
count for  Steele's  conduct  on  the  simple 
Christian  principle  of  loving  his  neighbor 
as  himself,  and  doing  unto  others  as  he 
wished  them  to  do  unto  him  ;  though  Har- 
dy knew  that  these  things  were  command- 
ed in  the  Bible.  Had  he  seen  any  one  act- 
ing against  the  laws  of  the  land,  he  would 
have  been  ready  enough  to  deliver  him  up 
to  justice  ;  but  keeping  God's  law,  was  to 
him  an  unaccountable  piece  of  folly,  nor 
did  he  seem  aware  that  judgment  must 
overtake  those  who  break  it. 

Arriving  at  Steele's  cottage,  and  desiring 
to  see  him,  he  was  immediately  shown  into 


22  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING. 

his  room,  and  cordially  welcomed  by  the 
sick  man.  '  This  is  kind  indeed,  neighbor,' 
said  Steele,  stretching  out  his  hand  ;  '  take 
a  seat,  and  let  me  hear  how  you  are  going 
on.' 

Hardy  had  much  rough  good  nature  in 
his  disposition,  and  was  really  sorry  to  see 
the  young  man  so  very  much  altered  ;  he 
sat  down  by  him,  and  replied,  '  Nay,  let  me 
first  hear  how  you  go  on  ;  for  I  am  afraid 
you  are  very  ill  indeed.' 

'  I  am  rather  better,'  said  Steele,  '  but 
have  had  a  severe  attack  of  fever.' 

'  It  was  a  bad  time,  too,  to  fall  sick,  com- 
rade.' 

'  It  was  as  the  Lord  saw  right,  Hardy. 
He  chooses  times  and  seasons  better  than 
we  could  do ;  and,  like  a  loving  father,  he 
sends  chastisement  when  we  need  it — if  it 
came  not  till  we  desired  it,  we  should  have 
but  little,  I  believe.' 

*  Why,  that  is  true ;  and  it  must  be  a 
comfort  to  make  such  sensible  reflections 
when  one  is  laid  up,  at  a  busy  and  gainful 
time.' 

'  How  do  you  go  on  at  the  castle,  Hardy  1 


PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING.  23 

1  Pretty  well :  the  young  lord  was  there 
to-day,  and  seemed  quite  satisfied.' 

'  He  is  an  excellent  young  man,'  said 
Steele. 

4  Yes,  he  seems  well  enough  ;  but  is  it 
not  odd  for  a  nobleman  like  him  to  do  what 
his  father's  steward  would  be  a  more  fit  per- 
son to  manage  V 

'  It  seems  so  to  many,  but  I  have  heard 
that  he  takes  every  opportunity  of  studying 
the  characters,  even  of  the  very  poorest ; 
that  he  may  better  know  how  to  supply 
their  wants,  both  temporal  and  spiritual.' 

'  What  do  you  mean  by  spiritual  wants  V 
asked  Hardy — Steele  paused — he  seemed 
at  that  moment  to  be  praying,  and  so,  no 
doubt,  he  was,  for  help  in  answering  a  ques- 
tion so  important ;  and,  before  he  could 
well  reply,  the  clergyman  entered. 

After  kindly  speaking  to  Steele,  he  turn- 
ed to  Hardy,  and  expressed  great  satisfac- 
tion at  seeing  him  there. 

'  Now,'  said  Steele,  '  I  will  ask  Mr.  Nor- 
ton to  answer  your  last  question.' 

'  No,  no,'  replied  Hardy,  confused,  '  don't 
trouble  him  with  such  nonsense.' 


24  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING;. 

'  Speak  out,'  said  Mr.  Norton,  who  knew 
that  no  nonsense  would  interest  Steele  at 
such  a  moment — the  question  was  immedi- 
ately stated  to  him. 

'A  most  important  inquiry,  my  friends,' 
said  the  old  clergyman.  '  Sit  down,  Hardy, 
and  with  the  Lord's  help  I  will  endeavor  to 
answer  it,  in  some  measure  ;  tell  me  what 
you  conceive  to  be  our  chief  bodily  wants  1' 

After  some  consideration,  Hardy  replied, 
'  Air  to  breathe,  food  to  eat,  clothes  to 
wear,  and  a  shelter  from  the  weather.' 

'  Right :  and  under  these  heads  we  may 
also  arrange  our  spiritual  necessities. 

'You  know  it  is  said,  "The  Lord  God 
formed  man  out  of  the  dust  of  the  ground, 
and  breathed  into  his  nostrils  the  breath  of 
life  ;  and  man  became  a  living  soul."  The 
life  thus  bestowed  was  twofold  ;  that  natural 
existence  which  we  enjoy  in  common  with 
all  animals,  and  the  spiritual  life  with  which 
man  alone,  of  all  creatures  on  the  earth, 
was  gifted.  It  was  the  power  and  the  will 
to  love  and  serve  God,  and  to  enjoy  com- 
munion with  him  in  prayer  and  praise,  as- 
cending from  the  inmost  heart.  When 


PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING.  25 

Adam  disobeyed,  by  eating  of  the  forbidden 
tree,  he  incurred  the  penalty — "  in  the  day 
that  thou  eatest  thereof  thou  shalt  surely 
die  :"  this  spiritual  life  was  extinguished  by 
sin }  and  eternal  death  was  the  sentence 
under  which  Adam  laid  himself  and  all  his 
posterity. 

'  Now,  God,  by  giving  his  own  Son  to 
suffer  in  the  flesh  for  our  sins,  opened  a 
way  of  escape  from  this  terrible  doom. 
The  believer  in  Jesus  Christ  is  raised  from 
the  state  of  death  in  which  his  soul  lies 
until  quickened  by  divine  grace  ;  and  by  the 
power  of  his  Redeemer,  he  is  raised  to 
walk  in  newness  of  life.' 

'  You  mean  at  the  resurrection,  Sir  V  said 
Hardy. 

'  No — the  resurrection  of  the  body  is  an 
event  that  shall  happen  to  all;  I  speak  of 
the  new  birth,  without  which,  our  Savior 
says,  a  man  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of 
God.  He  who  while  living,  partakes  not 
in  this  spiritual  resurrection,  shall  indeed 
be  raised  up  at  the  last  day  ;  but  it  must  be 
to  shame  and  everlasting  contempt.  So 
you  see,  Hardy,  we  want  breath,  a  new  ex- 


26  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING. 

istence,  and  power  to  continue  it,  for  our 
souls  no  less  than  for  our  bodies.' 

'  It  seems  so  indeed,  Sir,  but  all  this  is 
very  new  to  me.' 

'  Surely  I  have  told  you  the  same  thing 
from  the  pulpit,  times  without  number.' 

'  Perhaps  you  have,  Sir ;  but  I  confess  I 
did  not  understand  it  as  I  now  do.' 

'  The  next  thing  we  want,'  said  Mr.  Nor- 
ton, '  is  "  food  to  eat,"  food  that  a  man  may 
eat  of,  and  live  for  ever.  I  have  told  you 
that  it  is  by  the  death  of  Jesus  Christ  alone, 
we  can  recover  the  life  of  the  soul,  which 
Adam  lost :  He  who  gives  us  a  new  being 
must  also  support  it :  the  means  by  which 
He  does  this  are,  his  written  word,  his  ap- 
pointed ordinances  and  sacraments  j  and, 
above  all,  his  own  flesh  and  blood.' 

'Please  to  explain  that,  Sir.' 

'  By  the  flesh  and  blood  of  our  blessed 
Lord,  is  understood  His  incarnation — His 
appearing  in  a  mortal  body  to  suffer  for  our 
sins.  On  this  great  mystery  of  "  God  mani- 
fest in  the  flesh,"  we  must  feed  by  faith — we 
must  make  it  our  own,  by  receiving  Him  as 


PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING.  27 

given  for  us,  and  see  that  He  dwell  in  us, 
or  we  have  no  part  in  His  salvation.' 

'  But,  Sir,'  said  Hardy,  '  how  can  I  know 
that  Christ  dwells  in  me  V 

'  By  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit  which  will  be 
produced  from  such  a  root — by  feeling  that 
you  hate  sin,  love  holiness,  and  are  zealous 
that  God  should  be  glorified  in  your  body 
and  your  spirit,  which  are  His :  by  finding 
your  sinful  inclinatious  weakened,  and  your 
endeavors  after  true  piety  strengthened,  in 
answer  to  the  persevering  prayer  that  the 
Lord  teaches  His  children  to  live  in.  You 
will  love  all  mankind  for  His  sake,  particu- 
lar^ those,  who  you  know,  love  Him — you 
will  rejoice  to  do  good  unto  all  men,  es- 
pecially unto  them  of  the  household  of 
faith.' 

Hardy  looked  down,  shook  his  head  im- 
patiently, and  it  was  plain  he  could  not  find 
the  original  of  this  picture  within. 

'  I  must  be  more  brief  in  noticing  what 
remains,'  said  Mr.  Norton.  '  We  need 
"  clothing  and  shelter :"  in  our  natural 
state,  the  soul  is  as  naked  as  the  body ;  and 
all  we  can  do  to  render  it  otherwise,  is  but 


28  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING. 

half  hiding  it  under  "  filthy  rags,"  that  can 
never  find  admittance  to  God's  presence. 
We  need  a  better  righteousness  than  we 
can  furnish  ;  and  He  who  feeds,  must  also 
clothe  the  soul,  in  raiment  clean  and  white, 
such  as  He  can  look  upon  with  complacen- 
cy. For  shelter — alas !  what  a  fearful 
storm  of  wrath  must  burst  on  the  de- 
fenceless head  of  the  impenitent  sinner ! 
Let  us  hasten  to  the  Rock  where  alone  we 
can  find  a  refuge  and  defence.  Jesus  Christ 
is  that  Rock,  that  sure  foundation,  on  which 
we  may  build  a  house  that  shall  stand  the 
shock  of  the  wind  and  waters,  and  endure 
for  ever  and  ever.' 

After  having  kneeled  down  to  pray  be 
side  the  sick  man's  bed,  Mr.  Norton  left  the 
house.  To  Hardy  all  was  strange,  and  so 
new,  that  he  seemed  to  have  entered  into 
a  different  world  :  but  he  was  not  inclined 
to  talk  ;  nor  did  Steele  urge  him  to  do  so  j 
after  a  few  kind  words  he  took  his  leave. 

Mr.  Norton  was  lingering  near  the  house, 
and,  as  Hardy  passed,  he  said,  '  Hardy,  read 
your  Bible  :  pray  to  God  to  enlighten  your 
understanding  ;  and  search  into  these  things 


PROMISING  AND    PERFORMING.  29 

of  which  you  confess  yourself  so  ignorant  j 
for  on  them  depends  your  salvation.' 

.Returning  home,  Hardy  had  very  little  to 
say  :  the  recollection  of  what  he  had  heard 
made  him  feel  unsettled  and  uncomfortable. 
At  one  time  he  was  inclined  actually  to  get 
his  Bible,  and  begin  to  read  the  New  Testa- 
ment with  attention — but  he  did  not  imme- 
diately, neither  did  he  pray.  Like  a  morn- 
ing cloud,  did  all  the  good  impressions  that 
he  had  received  melt  away ;  and  he  rose 
the  next  day  with  a  determination  to  be 
more  friendly  to  Steele,  but  not  to  puzzle 
himself  any  farther  about  things  that  were 
very  suitable  for  a  sick  bed  ;  but,  as  he 
foolishly  and  wickedly  reasoned,  quite  out 
of  season  with  a  man  in  perfect  health,  who 
had  his  way  to  make,  and  a  family  to  pro- 
vide for,  in  the  world. 

Desiring  his  wife  to  call  and  see  Steele 
before  dinner,  he  went  to  the  castle  as 
usual.  At  night  his  wife  told  him,  with 
breathless  eagerness,  that  the  strangest 
thing  had  happened — for,  while  she  was  sit- 
ting with  Steele,  the  young  nobleman  him- 
self had  come  into  his  room. — '  Impossible !' 


30  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING. 

exclaimed  Hardy.  '  Nay,  it  is  true ;  and 
Steele  was  so  much  confounded  at  it, 
that  I  thought  he  never  would  have  got 
voice  enough  to  speak:  so  his  lordship 
turned  to  me,  and  asked  me  how  he  did.  I 
am  sure  I  courtsied  down  to  the  ground, 
and  told  his  honor  that  I  had  not  been  long 
there ;  but  had  come  by  my  husband's  de- 
sire. Then  Steele  spoke  out,  and  said, 
"  Hardy  is  her  husband,  and  he  is  very  at- 
tentive to  me." ' 

'  Did  Steele  say  that  V 

1  Indeed  did  he  ;  and  told  how  you  sat  by 
him  yesterday,  and  listened  to  Mr.  Norton's 
discourses.' 

'  What  did  his  lordship  say  1' 

*  Why,   he   smiled  as    sweet   as  mortal 
man  could  do ;  and  spoke  to  Steele  about 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  till  it  seemed  to  me 
that  I  am  no  better  than  a  heathen,  to  think 
BO  little  of  Him  who  died  for  sinners.' 

'  Aye,  wife,  they  have  an  odd  way  of 
talking — better  not  perplex  ourselves  with 
such  things — we  have  the  children  to  look 
after.' 

*  Yes ;  and  his  lordship  spoke  of  them, 


FBOMIS1NO  AND  PERFORMING.  31 

and  how  they  must  be  brought  up  either  for 
heaven  or  hell;  till  I  was  scared  at  the 
charge  that  he  said  God  laid  upon  me.' 

1  You  see  it  all  comes  to  that — it  makes 
us  uncomfortable ;  think  no  more  of  it.' 

'  But  I  shall,  though.  If  they  say  true, 
we  are  quite  in  the  wrong,  and  the  children, 
poor  things !  will  go  on  in  our  way ;  so  I 
am  resolved  to  consider  it  for  their  sakes.' 

'  Do  as  you  like :  you  will  soon  be 
tired.' 

'  I  shall  pray  to  God  not  to  let  me  be 
tired,  if  I  am  to  get  any  good  by  going  on. 
I  fancy  you  would  gain  little  if  you  were  to 
lay  down  your  tools  as  soon  as  you  felt  fa- 
tigued, and  leave  off  work.' 

Hardy  laughed :  but  the  remark  was  not 
altogether  lost  upon  him. 

*  Is  it  not  strange,'  said  he,  '  that  a  noble- 
man should  visit  a  poor  carpenter  V 

'  Steele  said  something  like  that,  and  he 
directly  answered,  "  If  you  call  that  condes- 
cending, let  us  turn  our  view  to  the  grace 
of  Him,  the  Lord  of  heaven,  who  deigned 
to  become  poor  for  our  sakes."  Those 
were  his  words — I  shall  never  forget  them  * 


32  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING. 

4  Pho  !'  said  Hardy,  '  you  are  taken  with 
the  young  lord's  find  manners  and  title,  so 
you  listen  to  him  :  you  never  minded  those 
things  when  old  Mr.  Norton  said  them.' 

*  True  enough,  George  ;  I  never  minded 
them  before,  the  more  is  my  sin  and  sor- 
row :  but  I  will  mind  them  now,  and  follow 
the  good  advice  that  I  have  got.' 

She  did  so — she  read  the  Bible  with 
prayer  ;  and  received  the  blessing  promised 
to  those  who  search  the  Scriptures  that 
they  may  do  the  will  of  God. 

In  the  mean  time  Steele  recovered  slow- 
ly ;  Hardy  worked  diligently,  and  received 
a  handsome  recompense  when  the  noble 
family  took  possession  of  the  castle.  Sev- 
eral also  of  the  neighboring  gentlemen 
again  employed  him,  being  very  much  urg- 
ed by  Steele  to  do  so  ;  and  it  was  impossi- 
ble for  Hardy  to  deny,  even  in  thought, 
that  the  young  man  really  acted  from  a 
most  benevolent  and  kind  feeling  towards 
him — they  became  very  intimate,  and  at 
length  at  the  recommendation  of  the  young 
nobleman,  entered  into  a  partnership,  on 


PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING.  33 

condition  that  Hardy  made  no  promises  but 
what  his  friend  would  sanction. 

Not  long  after,  while  cutting  a  board 
carelessly,  Hardy  got  a  dreadful  wound  in 
the  leg,  which  laid  him  up  in  a  state  of 
great  suffering,  totally  incapable  of  any  ex 
ertion.  This  occurred  too  at  the  com- 
mencement of  a  severe  winter,  and  just  af- 
ter the  young  nobleman,  whose  health  was 
very  delicate,  had  set  out  on  a  tour  through 
the  Southern  parts  of  France  and  Italy. 

Steele  worked  early  and  late ;  he  sup- 
ported the  family,  and  was  to  them  as  a 
brother  born  for  adversity ;  while  all  his 
leisure  time  was  passed  in  more  earnestly 
pressing  on  the  attention  of  his  suffering 
partner  those  truths  which  he  had  so  wan- 
tonly banished  from  his  thoughts  in  the 
hour  of  prosperity,  as  only  suited  to  a  sea- 
son of  affliction ;  but  Hardy  found  that 
comfort  was  not  to  be  had  at  his  own  plea- 
sure. 

A  deep  gloom  overspread  his  mind ;  he 
felt  conscious  of  being  a  very  great  sinner, 
but  at  the  same  time  was  unable  to  mourn 
for  his  sin  as  he  ought  to  do.  In  vain 


34  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING. 

were  the  penitential  Psalms,  and  similar 
passages  of  Scripture  read  to  him ;  in  vain 
were  confessions  poured  forth  by  those 
who  knew  the  language  of  a  contrite  heart : 
Hardy  repeated  after  them  whatever  they 
said,  but  secretly  felt  he  was  mocking  God 
with  words  in  which  his  Spirit  bore  no  part. 
Believing  that  he  could  be  sorry  whenever 
he  pleased,  the  unhappy  man  had  paid  no 
regard  to  the  declaration  that  Jesus  Christ 
is  exalted  to  give  repentance,  as  well  as  re- 
mission of  sins  ;  and  not  seeking  that  gift 
in  due  time,  he  was  left  to  feel  that  godly 
sorrow  can  only  be  excited  through  the  in- 
fluence of  the  Holy  Spirit,  who,  like  the 
wind  which  bloweth  where  it  listeth,  is  free 
in  His  operations,  and  not  to  be  made  obe- 
dient to  the  caprice  of  men. 

One  day,  when  Hardy's  wife  was  trying 
to  speak  comfort  to  him,  he  suddenly  ex- 
claimed, '  I  wish  I  was  a  Roman  Catholic  !' 
In  the  evening  she  repeated  the  remark  to 
Steele,  who  asked  him  the  reason  of  so 
strange  a  wish  ;  '  because,'  said  Hardy,  '  I 
could  then  confess  to  a  priest,  say  some 
prayers,  do  some  penances,  pay  for  a  mass  or 


PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING.  35 

two,  and  have  my  mind  set  at  rest  by  the 
absolution  of  the  church.' 

'  You  are  like  a  man  wandering  in  a  dan- 
gerous wood,'  said  Steele,  '  with  very  little 
light  glimmering  to  direct  him,  but  enough 
to  show  a  path  that  will  lead  out  of  this 
maze ;  and  because  the  light  does  not  in- 
crease so  fast  as  you  desire,  you  want  to  be 
struck  blind,  and  fall  into  a  pit,  rather  than 
make  any  further  attempt  to  extricate  your- 
self.' 

*  How  do  you  make  that  out  V 

'Why,'  replied  Steele,  'you  are  in  a 
state  of  sin,  and  in  great  peril  of  eternal 
death ;  but  the  light  of  the  Gospel  shines 
sufficiently  to  show  you  the  misery  and 
danger ;  and  the  same  light  reveals  a  way 
of  escape — you  want  to  turn  from  this  sure, 
though  seemingly  distant  deliverance  ;  to 
avoid  the  task  of  seeking,  and  praying,  and 
waiting  the  Lord's  time ;  and  you  would 
delude  your  soul  with  the  inventions  of 
man  which  cannot  profit,  but  only  render 
you  insensible  to  the  destruction  to  which 
they  lead.' 

'  But,'  said  Hardy,  '  if  I  really  believed  in 


36  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING. 

these  things,  and  acted  to  the  best  of  my 
knowledge  in  doing  them,  surely  I  should 
be  saved  V 

'  Surely  not,'  said  Steele ;  '  we  are  not 
left  to  grope  about,  and  find  for  ourselves  a 
way  to  heaven.  The  one  way  provided  by 
the  Lord,  is  revealed  to  us.  If  we  do  not 
seek  to  know  and  to  follow  the  directions 
which  He  has  given  us  in  his  word,  on  our 
heads  is  the  sin,  and  the  inevitable  destruc- 
tion that  must  follow  it.  Suppose  you  had 
to  pass  a  very  deep  and  rapid  river,  over 
which  one  safe  bridge  was  built  by  the  king 
of  the  country;  who  sent  forth  a  proclama- 
tion that  no  one  else  should  attempt  to 
make  a  passage  across  the  river,  and  that 
the  bridge  he  had  laid  would  bear  them 
safely  to  the  opposite  side — suppose  you 
must  pass  this  stream,  and  while  one  man 
read  to  you  the  proclamation,  another  said, 
'  I  will  lay  a  plank  from  side  to  side,  and 
you  can  walk  over  it ;'  then  if  you  turned 
away  from  the  king's  law,  and  ventured 
upon  the  rotten  plank,  and  were  swept  to 
destruction  in  the  sight  of  those  who  were 


PROMISING   AND  PERFORMING.  37 

safely  walking  over  the  bridge,  would  you 
deserve  their  pity  1' 

'  Indeed,'  replied  Hardy,  '  I  should  not  be 
such  a  fool  as  to  make  the  experiment.' 

*  Well— the  bridge  is  the  path  of  life  ap- 
pointed for  those  who  would  escape  eternal 
ruin  :  the  Bible  is  the  proclamation  that  de- 
clares it  alone  to  be  the  safe  road,  and  for- 
bids all  others.  The  devil  is  he  who 
tempts  you  to  disregard  God's  word,  and 
trust  yourself  to  such  planks  as  he  can  lay, 
that  he  may  rejoice  in  your  fall.* 

'  Now  suppose,'  Hardy  replied  again, 
1  that  a  man  puts  the  proclamation  in  his 
pocket,  and  will  not  let  me  read  it  V 

'  Then  he  is  a  rebel  and  a  traitor  to  his 
sovereign  ;  and,  as  such,  unworthy  of  your 
regard. — Besides,  there  are  copies  of  the 
Bible  to  be  had  in  every  place,  thanks  be  to 
God ;  and  who  has  a  right  to  debar  you  from 
using  what  your  King,  the  King  of  heaven, 
gives,  and  commands  you  to  attend  to,  as 
the  revelation  of  His  will  1  whether  we 
read  it  or  not,  we  shall  be  judged  by  it  at 
last. 


38  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING. 

4  Then  you  consider  the  Roman  Catholic 
religion  one  of  the  planks  V 

1  Every  thing,'  replied  Steele, '  that  differs 
from  the  way  pointed  out  by  the  Lord,  is  a 
delusion  of  Satan ;  and  that  the  Roman 
Catholic  religion  does  so  differ,  we  have 
proof  enough,  even  in  the  conduct  of  its 
teachers,  who  dread  the  introduction  of  the 
Bible  among  their  people,  as  the  first  step 
to  their  leaving  that  church.  While  God 
clearly  reveals  and  declares  that  there  is 
no  other  salvation  than  that  brought  to  us 
by  the  Gospel — no  other  name  under  heav- 
en given  among  men  whereby  we  may  be 
saved,  but  that  of  his  Son — the  Roman 
Catholic  religion  bids  us  rely  on  our  own 
works,  prayers,  penances,  and  the  merits 
and  intercession  of  fellow-sinners,  who  had 
no  help  in  themselves  when  living,  and  who 
certainly  cannot  help  us  now  they  are  dead. 
God  says,  "  Cursed  be  the  man  that  trusteth 
in  man,  and  maketh  flesh  his  arm,  and 
whose  heart  departeth  from  the  Lord  ;"  yet 
you  will  find  the  Church  of  Rome  selling 
pardons  for  the  most  dreadful  departures 
from  God's  law,  and  teaching  its  followers 


PROMISING  AND  PERFORMING.  39 

that  to  eat  meat  when  their  priests  com- 
mand them  to  eat  fish,  is  a  more  deadly  sin 
than  to  blaspheme  the  name  of  Christ,  and 
to  do  all  manner  of  evil  to  his  people.  Our 
unhappy  Roman  Catholic  brethren  have  in- 
deed forsaken  the  fountain  of  living  waters, 
and  hewed  to  themselves  cisterns,  broken 
cisterns,  that  can  hold  no  water.  But, 
whatever  you  call  yourself,  if  you  are  seek- 
ing salvation  by  any  other  means  than  by 
the  blood  and  merits  of  Jesus  Christ  alone, 
you  are  venturing  upon  a  path  that  must 
end  in  destruction.' 

'  Neighbor,'  said  Hardy,  '  I  will  put  ano- 
ther case,  suppose  the  bridge  is  shut,  and  I 
cannot  get  over  it  V 

*  That  is  supposing  that  God  can  change, 
which  is  impossible.  The  entrance  of  this 
bridge  is  narrow,  but  none  were  ever  re- 
fused admittance  who  sought,  and  asked, 
and  knocked  according  to  the  command  of 
our  Savior.  If  you  turn  away  in  impa- 
tience, it  is  a  proof  you  do  notJbelieve,  that 
no  other  passage  can  be  found.' 

Hardy  was  silent ;  he  could  not  deny  the 
truth  of  what  his  friend  said,  and  felt  that 


40  PROMISING  AND  PERFORMING. 

to  be  told  by  men  he  was  in  the  right  path 
would  no  more  avail  him,  than  being  told 
that  his  leg  was  healed  would  enable  him 
to  get  up  and  walk,  if  it  was  untrue.  Com- 
pelled, therefore,  to  look  to  God  alone  for 
help  and  peace,  he  prayed  incessantly  for 
the  assistance  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  lis 
tened  eagerly  to  every  consolation  held 
forth  in  the  Gospel. 

One  evening,  Steele  came  in  with  a  sum  of 
money,  the  payment  of  a  long  and  hard 
piece  of  work  which  he  had  done  ;  he  gave 
it  all  to  Mrs.  Hardy,  reserving  only  his  sub- 
scription to  the  Bible  Society,  which  noth- 
ing ever  induced  him  to  encroach  upon. 

Hardy  saw  the  gold  given  to  his  wife  • 
tears  stood  in  his  eyes,  as  he  held  out  his 
hand  to  this  generous  friend.  '  I  have  been 
thinking,  Steele,'  said  he,  '  that  only  for 
your  noble  conduct  to  me,  I  should  now  be 
perishing  with  all  these  about  me  ;  starving, 
from  the  consequences  of  my  sinful  habit 
of  telling  falsehoods.' 

*  It  is  of  the  Lord's  mercies  that  we  are 
not  all  consumed  for  our  sins,'  replied 
Steele.  '  I  was  the  means  of  injuring  your 


PROMISING    AND   PERFORMING.  41 

trade,  though  I  hope  it  was  over-ruled  to 
your  true  benefit ;  and  it  is  right  that  I 
should  make  some  amends.' 

c  Aye,  but  Steele,  I  am  sure  the  people 
would  not  have  borne  with  me  much  long 
er  :  some  other  workmen  would  have  been 
sent  for  by  them :  and  the  punishment 
would  have  fallen  without  one  drop  of  kind- 
ness to  sweeten  it.' 

*  Then  ought  you  not  to  be  most  deeply 
thankful  to  the  Lord  V 

'  Yes  I  wish  I  was  as  I  ought  to  be  :  but 
tell  me,  Steele,  how  you  escaped  the  temp- 
tation that  almost  all  tradesmen  fall  into  V 

'Every  state,'  replied  Steele,  'has  its 
own  particular  snares  ;  and  every  man  a  sin 
that  besets  him  more  constantly  than  oth- 
ers. Knowing  this,  I  was  enabled  to  watch 
against  what  I  had  reason  to  apprehend 
most  danger  from.  I  always  wished  to  ap- 
pear a  moral  character,  even  before  I  thought 
any  thing  of  religion  as  the  main  business 
of  life ;  and  pride  kept  me  from  telling  an 
untruth  ;  but  this  pride  itself  is  sin,  in  God's 
sight  ;  and  he  who  indulges  one  evil  feel- 
ing at  the  expense  of  another,  obtains  no 


42  PROMISING   AND  PERFORMING. 

victory  over  himself:  it  is  only  wearing 
the  same  badge  on  a  different  coat.  The 
change  in  our  general  appearance  does  not 
render  us  less  the  servants  of  sin  ;  nor  pre- 
vent our  receiving  its  sure  wages,  eternal 
death.' 

'  But  how  did  you  get  over  your  pride  V 
asked  Hardy.  '  So  far  as  that  is  conquer- 
ed,' replied  Steele,  '  the  work  is  the  work 
of  God  ;  not  mine.  He  enabled  me  to  see 
myself  a  sinner  exposed  to  his  wrath ;  and 
in  trying  to  overcome  my  evil  propensities, 
I  found  so  much  to  make  me  abhor  myself 
and  to  humble  me  entirely  at  the  foot  of  the 
cross,  where  alone,  I  could  look  for  par- 
don and  acceptance,  that  it  was  not  possi- 
ble for  such  a  self-convicted  offender  to  con- 
tinue proud.  When  I  understood  to  what 
my  iniquities  had  exposed  the  Lamb  of 
God  ;  and  considered  the  mockery,  the  an- 
guish, and  shameful  death  endured  by  Him, 
to  save  such  as  me  from  perdition,  I  was  abas- 
ed in  the  very  dust  of  the  earth,  and  could  on- 
ly cry,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner." 
Encouraged  to  believe  that  in  Him  I  have 
indeed  found  mercy,  and  endeavoring  to 


PROMISING   AND  PERFORMING.  43 

persevere  in  a  life  of  holiness,  I  feel  my- 
self so  constantly  opposed  by  the  snares  in- 
to which  I  am  often  too  ready  to  fall,  and  by 
daily  experience  so  convinced,  "  that  in  me, 
that  is  my  flesh,  dwelleth  no  good  thing," 
that  it  is  enough  just  to  look  at  the  law  of 
God,  and  then  at  myself,  to  preserve  me 
free  from  pride  in  my  miserable  attempts 
to  be  a  faithful  servant.  If  we  could  of- 
tener  consider  what  duties  we  have  neglect- 
ed, as  well  as  what  actual  sins  we  have  com- 
mitted, it  would  help  to  keep  us  and  self- 
righteousness  at  a  wide  distance.' 

'  But  you  kept  your  rule  of  telling  the 
truth,  though  you  could  no  longer  glory  in 
it,'  observed  Mrs.  Hardy. 

'  Yes ;  feeling  my  own  weakness,  I  relied 
more  and  more  upon  the  strength  of  the 
Lord ;  and  strove  after  what  meet  to 
adorn  the  doctrine  which  I  profess.  Indeed, 
since  I  have  renounced  self-dependence,  and 
lived  more  by  faith,  I  must  say,  wordly 
temptations  have  not  so  much  power  over 
me,  as  I  feared  they  would  always  have.  I 
believe  that  the  Lord  has  given  me  a  new 
heart,  because  I  can  say  his  law  is  my  de- 


44  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING. 

light :  and  because  I  hate  sin,  as  that  which 
He  hates,  and  which  dishonors  Him,  as  well 
as  being  what  would  destroy  my  soul.' 

'  I  used  to  think,'  said  Hardy, '  that  when 
you  sat  reading  your  Bible,  and  refused  to 
join  in  the  idle  follies  of  those  about  you, 
and  saved  your  money  for  religious  socie- 
ties, that  you  were  choosing  a  very  hard 
path  to  heaven  ;  and  punishing  yourself  on 
earth  that  you  might  be  sure  of  getting 
there  at  last.' 

Steele  smiled ;  *  If  you  knew  what  plea- 
sure the  Bible  affords  me  :  you  would  own 
I  was  seeking  my  own  gratification,  instead 
of  punishing  myself,  when  I  meditate  upon 
its  pages.  As  to  the  amusements,  of  which 
you  talk,  they  are  worse  than  nothing  to 
me :  they  steal  from  me  the  treasure  of 
time,  for  the  use  of  which  I  must  give  ac- 
count :  and  they  unfit  me  for  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  truest  pleasures — communion 
with  God,  in  His  word,  and  in  prayer. 
This  would  be  the  case,  if  there  was  noth- 
ing of  what  the  world  calls  harm  in  them : 
but  judge  you  whether  it  is  so,  when  you 
consider  to  how  much  mischief  they  lead. 


PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING.  45 

Profane  and  immoral  conversation,  drink- 
ing, quarrelling,  and  every  excess  ;  besides 
squandering  the  money  that  we  ought  to 
expend  on  our  families.  When  I  have  been 
compelled  to  look  on  a  party  of  dissipated 
mechanics,  thus  employed  during  their  lei- 
sure, or  still  worse  on  the  Sunday,  I  have 
sadly  asked,  myself  if  these  could  be  a 
part  of  that  great  multitude,  who  shall  stand 
before  the  throne  of  God,  in  white  robes, 
with  palms  in  their  hands — if  these  were 
the  disciples  of  Christ,  a  peculiar  people, 
purified,  and  zealous  of  good  works,  whose 
names  are  written  in  the  book  of  life  ;  and, 
alas !  we  know  that  all  whose  names  are 
not  written  there,  shall  be  cast  into  the 
lake  of  fire.' 

'  Steele,'  said  Hardy,  '  I  never  thought 
thus  on  these  things  before.' 

*  Because  you  have  not  known  either 
God  or  yourself.  The  Bible,  which  show- 
ed them  to  me  in  so  awful  a  light,  is  reveal- 
ing them  also  to  you;  and  its  lessons,  I 
trust,  will  be  blessed  to  the  saving  of  your 
soul.  Can  you  wonder  that  I  delight  to  add 
my  little  contribution  to  the  stock  out  of 


46  PROMISING    AND    PERFORMING. 

God's  book,  the  written  message  of  his  mer- 
cy to  fallen  man,  is  sent  forth  into  so  many 
poor  habitations,  "  to  give  light  to  them 
that  sit  in  darkness,  and  the  shadow  of 
death  :  and  to  guide  their  feet  in  the  way 
of  peace." ' 

'  It  is  against  this  God  that  I  have  been 
sinning  all  my  life,'  said  Hardy  ;  '  and  what 
a  base,  unthankful  wretch  am  I !'  He  now 
loathed  himself  for  his  iniquities  ;  he  griev- 
ed over  the  rebellion  of  his  heart,  and, 
drawn  by  the  cords  of  love,  followed  the 
the  Savior,  who  had  not  only  redeemed  his 
soul  from  death,  but  crowned  him  with  such 
tender  mercies,  and  loving-kindness,  by 
means  the  most  unexpected  and  providen- 
tial. 

Hardy  now  could  pour  forth  the  confes- 
sions of  a  soul  deeply  troubled,  to  Him  who 
invites  the  sinner's  approach ;  he  found  con- 
solation in  every  page  of  Scripture,  and  re- 
joiced in  the  assurance  of  pardon  and  ever- 
lasting salvation.  The  tranquil  state  of  his 
mind  promoted  his  bodily  health :  and 
though  wasted  and  weakened  by  long  con- 
finement, he  got  about  again,  and  worked 


PROMISING  AND  PERFORMING.  47 

very  hard,  to  release  his  benevolent  friend 
from  the  burden  of  supporting  the  family. 

One  day  Hardy  was  returning  from  a 
gentleman's  house,  where  he  had  been  to 
receive  some  orders,  when  at  a  little  dis- 
tance before  him  he  saw  one  whom  he  im- 
mediately knew  to  be  the  young  nobleman. 
He  ran  forward,  then  drew  back,  and  again, 
impelled  by  feelings  which  he  could  not 
overcome,  placed  himself  in  his  sight ;  bow 
ing  low,  but  not  able  at  once  to  speak. 

'Hardy!'  exclaimed  his  lordship,  'is  it 
you  1  How  are  you  going  on  V 

Hardy  replied,  that  by  the  blessing  of 
God,  he  was  doing  well  in  every  respect. 

'  That  includes  a  great  deal,'  observed 
his  lordship,  '  are  you  aware  of  it  V 

'  Yes,  my  lord — it  includes  all  the  mer- 
cies granted  through  Jesus  Christ  to  the 
vilest  of  sinners.' 

'  Thanks  be  to  God,  for  His  unspeakable 
gift !  you  rejoice  me,  Hardy.  Had  Steele 
any  part  in  this  good  work  V 

Hardy  replied  by  relating  with  the  high- 
est animation,  the  whole  of  Steele's  gener- 
ous conduct  to  him. 


48  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING. 

His  lordship  was  much  moved  by  the  re- 
cital ;  but  he  only  observed,  '  If  God  so  lov- 
ed us,  we  ought  also  to  love  one  another.' 

But  he  did  not  forget  the  two  carpenters  ; 
finding  on  inquiry  that  Hardy  was  become, 
in  every  respect  a  changed  character ;  that 
his  adherence  to  truth  and  sincerity  was  as 
marked  as  his  deviations  had  formerly  been ; 
and  that  no  man  could  be  more  patient, 
steady,  and  industrious,  or  bring  up  his 
children  more  carefully  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord ;  he  made  it  his 
care  to  watch  over  the  interests  of  the  fa- 
mily, and  befriended  them  materially. 

Often  was  Hardy  painfully  reminded  of 
his  former  evil  courses  ;  and  frequent  occa- 
sion had  he  to  mourn  over  the  remaining 
corruptions  of  a  nature  that  he  could  never 
wholly  subdue.  As  might  be  expected, 
those  who  before  laughed  at,  or  excused 
his  transgressions,  when  he  did  evil  without 
restraint,  now  watched  for  every  little  slip 
in  his  daily  conduct,  and  brought  it  forward 
as  a  heavy  charge  against  the  religion  which' 
he  professed.  Lamenting  one  day  to  Steele 
that  it  was  so,  the  latter  replied,  *  We  shall 


PROMISING  AND   PERFORMING.  49 

always  find  it  thus ;  and  surely  these  mis- 
taken friends  pay  a  great  and  justly  merited, 
though  perhaps  unintentional,  tribute  to  the 
perfect  purity  of  the  faith  to  which  they  ob- 
ject. While  we  lived  in  the  ways  of  the 
world,  all  our  vices  were  looked  on  as  mat- 
ters of  course,  and  called  by  the  gentlest 
names.  Now,  that  we  profess  to  be  led  by 
the  Spirit  of  God,  the  slightest  appearance 
of  evil,  a  hasty  word,  or  a  mistaken  opinion, 
is  laid  hold  of  as  a  proof  that  we  do  not 
truly  belong  to  that  number  among  whom 
we  enrol  ourselves.  Nay,  our  former  sins, 
once  so  lightly  regarded,  are  now  called  up 
to  mind,  and  exhibited  as  proofs  that  our 
present  profession  must  be  hypocrisy.  Do 
such  seek  to  prove  that  Christian  purity  is 
unattainable,  or  do  they  hope  to  excuse 
themselves,  in  their  gross  transgressions,  by 
the  comparative  falling  short  of  others  1 
Alas!  they  little  know  how  deeply  we  af- 
flict ourselves  for  what  they  so  harshly  cen- 
sure— or  how  anxiously  we  press  towards 
the  mark  for  the  prize  of  our  high  calling,  in 
proportion  as  we  feel  our  spiritual  enemies 
active  in  casting  hinderances,  and  spreading 


50  PROMISING   AND    PERFORMING. 

snares  in  our  way.  Weak,  wavering,  and 
fearful  in  ourselves,  we  are  obliged  to  peti- 
tion more  earnestly  for  Divine  help,  and  to 
feel  that  "  in  the  Lord  alone  we  have  right- 
eousness and  strength."  ' 

Reader,  have  you,  like  Hardy,  cast  God's 
righteous  law  behind  you,  and  allowed  your- 
self in  what  your  conscience  condemns  1 

If  so,  I  beseech  you,  pause  for  a  moment, 
and  reflect  what  must  be  the  end  of  these 
things.  Satan,  who  is  called  by  our  Lord 
the  prince  of  this  world,  may  allure  you 
with  the  expectation  of  those  advantages  to 
which  you  now  attach  great  importance ; 
but,  in  the  hour  of  death,  at  the  day  of  judg- 
ment, what  will  they  avail  you  1  When 
the  earth,  with  all  its  works,  is  burnt  up, 
where  is  the  fruit,  the  profit  of  those  things, 
whereof,  even  now,  you  must  be  often  in 
your  hearts  ashamed  1  The  fruits  of  them 
you  must  reap  to  your  eternal  confusion ; 
for  the  wages  of  sin  is  death,  and  those  wa- 
ges will  undoubtedly  be  paid,  if  you  obtain 
not  deliverance  from  the  curse  of  the  law, 
which  now  speaks  condemnation  against 
you.  Mercy  is  freely  offered  in  Christ  Je- 


PROMISING    AND    PERFORMING.  51 

sus ;  but  delay  not  to  accept  it — such  pre- 
sumptuous indifference  will  only  add  to  the 
weight  of  your  fatal  sentence  :  you  have 
been  told  of  one  who,  by  signal  mercies, 
was  led  to  lay  hold  of  the  hope  set  before 
him  in  the  Gospel ;  but  consider  how  very 
many  are  swept  off  into  darkness  and  de 
spair,  while  neglecting  this  great  salvation. 
While  you  live  in  sin,  you  are  the  enemy  of 
God,  and  confederate  with  Satan.  Can  you 
rest  satisfied  in  so  awful  a  state  1  I  hope 
not.  Listen  to  the  voice  of  gracious  invi- 
tation :  '  Let  the  wicked  forsake  his  way, 
and  the  unrighteous  man  his  thoughts,  and 
let  him  return  unto  the  Lord,  for  He  will 
have  mercy  upon  him ;  and  unto  our  God, 
for  He  will  abundantly  pardon  :'  '  Christ 
Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners  ;' 
and  was  sent  to  bless  us,  by  turning  away 
every  one  of  us  from  our  iniquities,  and  en- 
abling us  to  glorify  His  Father,  by  bearing 
much  fruit  of  righteousness  and  true  holi- 
ness all  the  days  of  our  life. 


52  PROMISING   AND   PERFORMING. 

0  bless  the  Lord,  my  soul,  and  own 
What  wondrous  mercy  he  hath  shown : 
Not  as  our  sins  demand  he  gives; 
Behold,  the  pardoned  rebel  lives! 

Then  let  me  shun  the  hateful  road, 
Where  walk  the  impious  foes  of  God ; 
Abhor  the  place  where  sinners  meet, 
Nor  loiter  near  the  scorner's  seat. 

A  band  there  is,  by  Jesus  prized, 
By  Satan  feared,  by  man  despised, 
Who  turn  them  from  terrestrial  toys, 
To  meditate  on  endless  joys. 

'  Come  thou  with  us,'  they  cry, '  and  view 
The  glorious  land  we  journey  to ; 
To  us  and  ours  that  land  is  given, 
A  heritage  reserved  in  heaven.' 

'  Come,  and  partake  the  gift  divine ; 
Believe,  and  all  its  wealth  is  thine.' 
Bid  me,  0  Lord,  the  call  obey, 
And  join  them  in  the  heavenward  way. 


f 


UCSB  LIBRARY 


A     000  605  528 


